By Jerromie S. Walters

The Plenary of the House of Representatives has passed into law a bill seeking to transform the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC) into a full-fledged university. The decision was reached on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, during the 19th day sitting of the 2nd Quarter of the 2nd Session, following the adoption of a report from the Joint Committee on Education and Public Administration and Judiciary.

The bill was submitted by Montserrado County Electoral District 2 Representative Hon. Sekou Kanneh. The Committee presented several key recommendations, all of which were incorporated into the final version of the bill. The newly approved law provides for the following: The institution will be officially known as the Monrovia University of Science and Technical Education (MUSTE). A three-year phased implementation plan has been established to ensure a smooth and structured upgrade.ย 

MUSTE is required to submit a detailed transition and compliance plan to the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) within six months of enactment.

The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning is mandated to allocate special budgetary support beginning in the Fiscal Year 2026. A University Council will be constituted to oversee the transformation process. The council will include representatives from government, academia, civil society, and industry.

MUSTE will introduce new academic programs, including industrial engineering, applied sciences, and technical teacher education.

A New Era for Technical Education in Liberia

The transformation of MVTC into MUSTE is a significant milestone in Liberiaโ€™s commitment to strengthening its technical education and workforce development strategy. By expanding its academic offerings and aligning with international accreditation standards, the new university is positioned to become a national center of excellence in science and technical training.

โ€œThis is a historic step for education in Liberia,โ€ said the Chair of the Committee on Education and Public Administration. โ€œWith proper oversight and investment, MUSTE will play a pivotal role in producing the skilled professionals needed to drive our countryโ€™s industrial and economic growth.โ€ The bill now moves to the Senate for concurrence.

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) serves as a vital mechanism for equipping Liberian youth with practical, employment-focused skills that enhance both their livelihoods and personal development. Given its importance, Liberia’s TVET system urgently requires systematic review and restructuring to effectively combat the persistent challenges of youth unemployment and underemployment across the nation.  

The Department of Technical and Vocational Education currently administers seven specialized training institutions throughout Liberia. The Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC) stands as the flagship institution, offering comprehensive technical and vocational instruction across thirteen distinct trade areas to prepare students for various industrial sectors.  

For women’s empowerment, the Business Domestic Occupational Training Center (BDOTC) provides targeted skills development in hospitality management, specifically designed to uplift underprivileged women and girls. Agricultural training finds its home at two centers – the Klay Agriculture & Vocational Training Center (KAVTC) and Tumutu Agriculture Vocational Training Center (TAVTC) – both delivering fundamental agricultural education to students.  

The Youth Agriculture Training Center (YATC) takes a more comprehensive approach, training young people in multiple agricultural disciplines including animal husbandry, vegetable production, rice cultivation and tree crop management, while simultaneously offering vocational courses in electricity, carpentry, masonry, plumbing and metalworks.  

In rural skills development, the Julijuah Vocational Training Center (JVTC) focuses exclusively on tailoring programs, creating both wage employment opportunities and self-employment pathways for youth. Completing the network, the Youth-On-The-Job Training (YOJT) program serves as the ministry’s apprenticeship wing, providing practical skills acquisition opportunities specifically tailored for illiterate and semi-literate youth through hands-on, workplace-based learning experiences.  

This existing infrastructure, while valuable, requires substantial upgrades and strategic realignment to fully meet Liberia’s current and future workforce needs. Modernization efforts should prioritize curriculum updates to reflect industry demands, facility improvements with contemporary equipment, and strengthened partnerships with private sector employers. Additionally, integrating entrepreneurship training across all programs would better prepare graduates for self-employment opportunities in Liberia’s growing informal economy.  

With proper investment and reform, these TVET institutions could transform into powerful engines for national development, significantly reducing skills gaps while providing viable alternatives to traditional academic pathways. The potential exists to create a robust TVET ecosystem that not only addresses unemployment but actively contributes to Liberia’s economic diversification and technological advancement.  

Key to this transformation will be coordinated action between government policymakers, educational administrators, industry leaders and international development partners. Such collaboration could ensure TVET programs remain responsive to labor market trends while maintaining high standards of vocational education. By positioning TVET as a centerpiece of Liberia’s human capital development strategy, the nation can empower its youth population with practical skills, foster innovation, and build a more resilient workforce for the future.

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